E3 2016 Recap: The Division “Underground” DLC

We would like to catch up with the during E3 2016 released information about Tom Clancy’s The Division’s upcoming update 1.3 and the first major expansion “Underground” and will start with the for Season Pass owners coming DLC first.

The information provided in this article is mainly based on Q&As on site, the Ubisoft Special Ops. Event as well as the latest Intelligence Annex #11 and is really only about the contents of the “Underground” DLC.

Underground DLC Trailer

Lots of new footage was released about the on June 28th for Xbox One and PC as well as one month later – on August 2nd – for PlayStation 4 coming first expansion , including a brand new trailer, which showcases the dark subways, tunnels and sewers of random generated missions in the Underground of New York City’s borough Manhattan.

New Story

In the first major expansion of Tom Clancy’s The Division, players will be able to explore the widely connected dungeons in Manhattan’s Underground with high replay value. Because you have established the Base of Operations and almost secured the city, it’s not yet told that the same happened beneath the surface. Due to yesterday’s released Intelligence Annex #11, we know that a devastating attack on a secure quarantine center is the reason for moving down into the dark to get rid of the attackers and save what remains.

During this time the factions have been infesting the Underground to regroup and plan a new wave of deadly attacks on the city. It’s our job to head down there and take this back!

Tactical Operations Center

The Underground can be accessed through a new area in the Base of Operations, called The Terminal, which will feature well-known things like a crafting station, stash, matchmaking hub, High Value Targets and vendors.

In contrast to the BoO, this area will work like the Social Hubs in Camp Hudson or the Safe Houses, meaning that you can meet other players there. Moreover it will be accessible through the fast travel system.

Once the area is checked out, the real thing begins when you take the elevator down to the Underground, where you will have to walk across the Tactical Operations Center.

Everything that is needed to survive the there lurking danger can be found in this place, supported by the on latest technology and best infrastructure based Underground Operation Panel and additional vendors.

Randomness Awaits

What makes the “Underground” DLC so interesting is its promising high value of replay ability due to the endless possibilities of random generated dungeons, missions and mission modifiers, something we have personally missed since The Division’s launch in March.

According to Game Director Gilles Matouba from Reflections, no encounter will feel the same anymore.

…thanks to the sheer amount of level combinations we can have, it will be rare to encounter the same one twice.Game Director Gilles Matouba, Reflections

Furthermore, groups of enemies can now consist of multiple members from different factions, making it hard to predict what awaits you when looking around the next corner. In addition, they got some new toys you will have to watch out for – unless you would like to dance with some incoming shotgunners or other types of enemies.

Alarm panels that will call in waves of reinforcements if they are triggered.

Underground Environment

The danger is everywhere and not only NPCs will try to make your life harder as also the Underground’s environment is filled with numerous types of hazards and traps you will definitely want to avoid. Simply going around seems to be not the one and only solution for them, instead new ways to disable them have to be found before you can continue.

Hazards

Electric wires that shock players on contact. They spark and short against metal and electrify water puddles.

Fractured gas pipes that spew jets of fire across passage ways and will seriously damage you.

Oil puddles that can cause large fires.

Heavy virus zones.

Traps

Underground Operations

Enough with the theory. Underground Operations are the playable missions that need to be configured first by the player by selecting the difficulty, number of phases, and Directives. You can already think about of how many options are actually taken into account when generating a new and unique Underground mission.

Objectives

Each mission also has an overall objective assigned that players have to complete in order to be eligible for the rewards. They are as follows:

Target of Opportunity: A dangerous enemy is gathering strength. Put an end to them before they can really others to their cause.

Surgical Strike: An opportunity has presented itself. Multiple leaders have gathered to discuss strategy in an Underground location. Eliminate them before they have a chance to disappear again.

Recover the Report: A JTF squad has gone missing. It’s up to you to find the squad and recover the Intel.

Supply Depot: Intel from a JTF patrol has pinpointed the location of an enemy supply stock. Destroy the supplies and eliminate any opposition.

Missing Patrol: A JTF squad has gone dark. Head to their last known GPS location and bring them back safely.

Critical Infrastructure: Critical infrastructure is being threatened under the streets of Manhattan. Protect it from a hostile enemy group.

Difficulty

Same as for Story/Daily Missions or Incursions, you can choose between the following difficulties:

Normal Mode

Hard Mode

Challenge Mode

Heroic Mode: Heroic mode is a new difficulty for elite players

Phases

Phases basically allow you to set the overall length of an Underground Operation by selecting up to 3 objectives. One phase takes around 15 minutes to complete, obviously based on the difficulty and other modifiers you have set on start.

Directives

Directives add another layer of difficulty while it’s up to you how far you will go by selecting either a combination or all of the following ones:

Fog of War: Removes your radar and indications, forcing you to communicate and share more information with your teammates.

Mad Skills: When you use one skill, both are placed on cooldown. Additionally, using a Signature Skill will trigger the cooldown for everyone in the group.

Waste Not Want Not: All ammo that is left in the magazine is lost when you reload and no enemies drop ammo. This adds a lot of tension as you have to think and use your bullets carefully.

Special Forces: Enemies can now use Explosive or Incendiary ammo.

Sickness: Health does not regenerate and you will continue to lose health until you reach one bar.

Gameplay Video

New Progression System

“Underground” also introduces a new progression system based on Underground XP, a new currency called “Directive Intel” and new loot (exclusive gear, blueprints and Underground Caches which are similar to Sealed Caches).

The new Underground Experience will give you access to Directives and award you with the right to purchase exclusive gear and blueprints in the Tactical Operation Center.Game Director Gilles Matouba, Reflections

Like for Directives, also the new aforementioned currency “Directive Intel” is gained through killing enemies in the Underground and completing Operations of any difficulty.

The higher your rank in this progression system, the more Directives can be added to your Operation by spending previously gained “Directive Intel”.

In short you will have more options to configure your mission. You decide how far you will go and how difficult the mission should be. The greater the challenge, the greater the rewards!

Dragon’s Nest Incursion

Apart from the first two free Incursions Falcon Lost and Clear Sky, the third one called “Dragon’s Nest” will be only available for buyers of the “Underground” DLC.

Located on the west side, in Manhattan’s neighbourhood Hell’s Kitchen, players will encounter dozens of Cleaners with the objective to defeat their leaders – The Four Horsemen – devastating Cleaner elites that require you to use different tactics and approaches when you want to succeed.

But that’s not all, as ironically just a fire engine will try to roast you with its attached flamethrower which you can see in the screenshot below.

You might want to start investing attribute points into Burn Resistance and Exotic Damage Resilience (Final Measure Gear Set) as reaching the Armor Cap alone will probably not enough to survive this encounter.